Our Story, Your Festival…

A spacious wooden banquet hall filled with people enjoying a meal, with large windows letting in natural light, floral centerpieces, and a live band performing in the background.

“A non-traditional approach to presenting classical works with entertaining insights and storytelling”

- Finger Lakes Times

Our Story

Founded in 2004, ChamberFest Canandaigua (formerly Canandaigua LakeMusic Festival) quickly became an essential part of cultural life in the Greater Rochester area and has established a regional reputation for its concerts’ innovative programming, inviting atmosphere, and musical excellence. Led by artistic directors Amy Sue Barston and Audrey Andrist, the Festival has showcased such world-class artists as pianist Jon Nakamatsu, clarinetist Charles Neidich, as well as the world-class Borromeo, Corigliano, Orion, and Ying Quartets.

Since its inception, ChamberFest Canandaigua has been dedicated to introducing new audiences to classical music through live concert performances and educational projects.

ChamberFest Canandaigua's comprehensive educational and outreach programs have included partnerships with numerous community organizations, including Canandaigua’s Wood Library, YMCA, Wegmans, Casa Larga Vineyards & Winery, Fort Hill Performing Arts Center, The Lake House on Canandaigua, Ferris Hills at West Lake, Cobblestone Arts Center, Nazareth University, and Finger Lakes Community College. We look forward to continuing that tradition in the years ahead.

Archive of Artists
Festival Photos

Festival Staff

Artistic Directors: Amy Sue Barston, Audrey Andrist

Executive Director: Aimee Ward

Board of Directors

President: Janet Tenreiro
Vice President: Dawn Yehl
Treasurer: Kristen Remy
Secretary: David Stern, M.D.
Members:
Ali Loveys, M.D.
Jonathan Rubins, M.D.
O.J. Sahler, M.D.

Advisory Board

Ed Grissing
Andrea Jones
Ed Klorman
Mary Maida, Ph.D.

Meet the Team

  • A woman with long curly brown hair smiling and holding a cello outdoors.

    Amy Sue Barston

    Artistic Director

    READ BIO

  • Portrait of a middle-aged woman with short, light brown hair, wearing a blue collared shirt and gold hoop earrings, smiling slightly against a white background.

    Audrey Andrist

    Artistic Director

    READ BIO

  • A woman with brunette hair smiling, wearing a black jacket and a gray textured blouse.

    Aimee Ward

    Executive Director

CONTACT US

Press Features

Our concerts are buzz-worthy! Don’t just take our word for it…

here’s what the press have to say:


Beautiful music is coming to Canandaigua...”

– Life in the Lakes

ChamberfestCanandaigua_2024_07_19_Schumann Piano Quintet_m1-4

Concert Videos

Enjoy this selection of past ChamberFest Canandaigua concerts, made available with your generous support of the festival. Want to see more content like this? Donate to make it possible in the future!

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